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Teen moms: 20 "leading" states

Births are down for U.S. teens - way down. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention today announced that the national teen birth rate fell to a record low in 2009, dropping to 39.1 births per 1,000 females from 61.8 births per 1,000 females in 1991. Yet even at that rate, the teen birth rate remains higher in the U.S. than in other countries - a fact that troubles experts, since teen birth is associated with myriad health problems for mother and child.

The rate is especially high among black and Hispanic teens. Geography plays a key role too - with teen moms more common in some states than others. Which states have the highest rates? Keep clicking to find out.

Credit: istockphoto

19. Missouri

In Missouri, there were 41.6 births for every 1,000 females 15 to 19 years of age.

Credit: iStockphoto

18. Indiana

In Indiana, there were 42.5 births for every 1,000 females 15 to 19 years of age.

Credit: istockphoto

17. Kansas

In Kansas, there were 43.8 births for every 1,000 females 15 to 19 years of age.

Credit: istockphoto

16. Alaska

In Alaska, there were 44.5 births for every 1,000 females 15 to 19 years of age.

Credit: istockphoto

15. North Carolina

In North Carolina, there were 44.9 births for every 1,000 females 15 to 19 years of age.

Credit: istockphoto

14. Wyoming

In Wyoming, there were 45.0 births for every 1,000 females 15 to 19 years of age.

Credit: istockphoto

13. Nevada

In Nevada, there were 47.4 births for every 1,000 females 15 to 19 years of age.

Credit: istockphoto

12. Georgia

In Georgia, there were 47.7 births for every 1,000 females 15 to 19 years of age.

Credit: istockphoto

11. South Carolina

In South Carolina, there were 49.1 births for every 1,000 females 15 to 19 years of age.

Credit: istockphoto

10. West Virginia

In West Virginia, there were 49.8 births for every 1,000 females 15 to 19 years of age.

Credit: iStockphoto

9. Tennessee (tie)

In Tennessee, there were 50.6 births for every 1,000 females 15 to 19 years of age.

Credit: istockphoto

9. Arizona (tie)

In Arizona, there were 50.6 births for every 1,000 females 15 to 19 years of age.

Credit: istockphoto

8. Alabama

In Alabama, there were 50.7 births for every 1,000 females 15 to 19 years of age.

Credit: istockphoto

7. Kentucky

In Kentucky, there were 51.3 births for every 1,000 females 15 to 19 years of age.

Credit: istockphoto

6. Louisiana

In Louisiana, there were 52.7 births for every 1,000 females 15 to 19 years of age.

Credit: istockphoto

5. Arkansas

In Arkansas, there were 59.3 births for every 1,000 females 15 to 19 years of age.

Credit: istockphoto

4. Oklahoma

In Oklahoma, there were 60.1 births for every 1,000 females 15 to 19 years of age.

Credit: istockphoto

3. Texas

In Texas, there were 60.7 births for every 1,000 females 15 to 19 years of age.

Credit: istockphoto

2. New Mexico

In New Mexico, there were 63.9 births for every 1,000 females 15 to 19 years of age.

Credit: istockphoto

1. Mississippi

In Mississippi, there were 64.2 births for every 1,000 females 15 to 19 years of age. Waaah!